used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
abeamadverb
at right angles to the length of a ship or airplane
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
from one side of something to the other
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
From this reading "All on deck with lifebelts!"
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
from a particular thing or place or position (“forth” is obsolete)
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
in or to or toward a former location
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
earlier than; in front of
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
inflected form of “begin” — take the first step or steps in carrying out an action
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
BowsnounUS /baʊz/
plural of “bow” — a knot with two loops and loose ends; used to tie shoelaces
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
bowspritnoun
a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
showing who or what does the action
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
canvasnounUS /ˈkænvəs/
a heavy, closely woven fabric (used for clothing or chairs or sails or tents)
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
inflected form of “carry” — move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
close-hauledadjective
having the sails trimmed for sailing as close to the wind as possible
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
a politically organized body of people under a single government
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
crashverbUS /kræʃ/
fall or come down violently
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
crumpledadjectiveUS /ˈkrʌmpəld/
of metal e.g.
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
absence of light or illumination
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
any of various platforms built into a vessel
From this reading "All on deck with lifebelts!"
derelictadjectiveUS /ˈderəlɪkt/
worn and broken down by hard use
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
showing the wearing effects of overwork or care or suffering
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
farm-waggon
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
fibresnounUS /ˈfaɪbərz/
plural of “fibre” — a slender and greatly elongated substance capable of being spun into yarn
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
produced by or subjected to forcing
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
forecastlenoun
living quarters consisting of a superstructure in the bow of a merchant ship where the crew is housed
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
foremastnoun
the mast nearest the bow in vessels with two or more masts
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
foresailnoun
the lowest sail on the foremast of a square-rigged vessel
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
showing where something starts, or who sent it
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
containing as much or as many as is possible or normal
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
past form of “gasp” — breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
half-gale
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
haunches
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
innermostadjectiveUS /ˈɪnərmoʊst/
being deepest within the self
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
INTERVENTIONnounUS /ˌɪntərˈvenʃən/
the act of intervening (as to mediate a dispute, etc.)
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
intoprepositionUS /ˈɪntuː/
moving to the inside of something
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
belonging to the thing or animal already mentioned
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
jarredverbUS /dʒɑːrd/
inflected form of “jar” — be incompatible; be or come into conflict
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
a narrow way or road
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
lifebelts
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "All on deck with lifebelts!"
prefer or wish to do something
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
loosedverbUS /luːst/
past form of “loose” — grant freedom to; free from confinement
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
12 o'clock at night; the middle of the night
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
motor-car
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
overprepositionUS /ˈoʊvər/
above and across; more than
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
a place (seaport or airport) where people and merchandise can enter or leave a country
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
pressurenounUS /ˈpreʃər/
the force applied to a unit area of surface; measured in pascals (SI unit) or in dynes (cgs unit)
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
a strong line
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
move hurridly
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
settle into a position, usually on a surface or ground
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
shiveredverbUS /ˈʃɪvərd/
past form of “shiver” — tremble convulsively, as from fear or excitement
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
for a short time
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
smashingnounUS /ˈsmæʃɪŋ/
the act of breaking something into small pieces
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
snappedverbUS /snæpt/
inflected form of “snap” — utter in an angry, sharp, or abrupt tone
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
soddenadjectiveUS /ˈsɑːdən/
wet through and through; thoroughly wet
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
StarlightnounUS /ˈstɑːrlaɪt/
the light of the stars
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
stay the same; remain in a certain state
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
(used in combination) affected by something overwhelming
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
tanglenounUS /ˈtæŋɡəl/
a twisted and tangled mass that is highly interwoven
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
caused to fall to the ground
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
unlightedadjective
not set afire or burning
From this reading She struck it full abeam, like a motor-car smashing in the dark into an unlighted farm-waggon drawn across a country lane.
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
binary compound that occurs at room temperature as a clear colorless odorless tasteless liquid; freezes into ice below 0 degrees centigrade and boils above 100 degrees centigrade; widely used as a solvent
From this reading Thrown back on her haunches, the "Starlight" gasped and shivered and began to settle by the head from the rush of water into the forecastle.
wirenounUS /ˈwaɪər/
ligament made of metal and used to fasten things or make cages or fences etc
From this reading Bows crumpled up; bowsprit snapped away; foremast, loosed from its stay, and forced back by the pressure of a half-gale on the close-hauled foresail, carried over to port in a tangle of rope and wire and canvas.
in the company of; together with
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
yachtnounUS /jɑːt/
an expensive vessel propelled by sail or power and used for cruising or racing
From this reading INTERVENTION The "Starlight" struck the sodden derelict shortly before midnight, with a crash that jarred the yacht to her innermost fibres.
